A Writer's Take on Global and National Issues with Background Information and Humor As Needed

4-methylimidazole – In Colas? Thought to Cause Cancer in Lab Rats for over 2 years Yet FDA says it’s safe

Posted on March 10, 2012

The chemical 4-methylimidazole is found in the color for regular and diet colas. An alleged scientific study a couple of years ago claims that has gone unchecked. Now Coke and Pepsi have said that they will be reducing the amount of this chemical in their products but not eliminating it. They have garnered support from an announcement by the FDA that the chemical has not been proved dangerous though sufficient testing.

Now the definition of a drug runs along the lines that it causes change within the human body. When they are found to cause severe side effects in humans, they are removed from market and studied further. A drug company can be taken to task and often sued by consumers for not removing a product from market in a timely manner that has caused illness or even death in consumers. While there are big Pharma companies that use all manner of pressure to get their drugs approved and to maintain them as moneymakers to recoup the cost of development, still the FDA ultimately rules the day.

While the FDA controls foods we eat to a certain extent, it is not at the level of considering drugs. But when a controversy has dragged on for years about food additives, why is the FDA dragging its feet? One reason is that corporations such as Coke and Pepsi are global and have deep pockets to influence FDA personnel and public opinion through advertising.

If 4-methylimidazole had been found definitively to cause cancer in select members of the public, then the FDA would either demand further testing or the removal of the chemical. We are at an impasse. Clearly the FDA should take the lead in demanding further testing rather than put the public at risk.

Moderation in all things is key; surely in this case it is essential to your health and well-being.